Bill Denton’s N-scale Kingsbury Branch layout is a tribute to Milwaukee Road’s iconic Chicago industrial spur. The layout captures the look and feel of this dense, urban environment, showcasing its tight trackage, industrial brick buildings, and gritty streets. For Denton, this layout was the result of two decades of planning and patience, finally brought to life with the help of modern N-scale products and improved modelling techniques.
The Inspiration
A Model Railroader article of April 1975 highlighted the Kingsbury Branch as a modeller’s dream — a narrow, compact, and urban industrial line packed with large brick structures, odd-angled streets, and trackwork that could be a layout’s visual centrepiece. At the time, Denton was just starting college, lacking both the funds and the resources to build a model railroad. However, he remained captivated by the concept, repeatedly revisiting the article for inspiration.
Two decades later, with a better selection of N-scale kits and supplies on the market, Denton was ready. Products from companies like Design Preservation Models (DPM) and Gold Medal Models made it possible to replicate the unique look of Chicago’s urban landscape, while improved track components allowed for precise, detailed trackwork. Construction on the 12′ x 2′ layout began in 1994 and took about four years to complete.
The Prototype
The real Kingsbury Branch was a classic Milwaukee Road industrial spur threading through a maze of warehouses, factories, and narrow Chicago streets. Over time, the southern portion of the branch — south of Division Street — was abandoned. However, traces of its past remain, with remnants of track still visible in some streets and former rail-served warehouses now converted into condominiums.
For his model, Denton focused on the southern portion of the branch, from Grand Avenue to Hobbie Street, as it was portrayed in the 1975 article. This area, closest to downtown Chicago, featured an engaging mix of street running and alleyway trackage. His modelling era is set around 1973, aligning with the time frame depicted in the original article.
The Layout Design
To accommodate space and transport needs, Denton’s layout was built in two 6-foot-long, 21-inch-wide sections. These sections can be displayed at train shows or integrated into a larger home layout. Each section is constructed with a 1×4 frame topped with 1/2″ plywood, while the backdrop is made from 1/8″ Masonite supported by 1x2s. Denton emphasised build quality from the start, avoiding cheaper materials and taking steps to protect the layout from humidity.
Trackwork
For many, the trackwork on Denton’s layout is the standout feature. Early on, he hand-laid the southern section’s track, constructing custom turnouts with Micro Engineering Code 55 rail soldered to PC board ties. While labour-intensive, this approach allowed him to create custom track geometry that would have been impossible with standard commercial turnouts. Denton notes that it took about two hours to hand-lay a turnout but believes the effort was worth it for the increased realism and flexibility.
For the northern section, he opted for Micro Engineering turnouts, which had become available by that point, to save time. He used a mix of Code 55 flex track for mainlines and Code 40 rail for sidings and spurs, a visual distinction that reflects the prototype’s operational reality. This choice also helped avoid clearance issues with older N-scale wheel flanges that might have interfered with Code 40 flex track spikes. To further differentiate the spurs and sidings, he spaced the ties slightly farther apart than on the main track. The switchstands are by Micro-Engineering.
Buildings and Scenery
Denton combined kits, kitbashes, and scratch-built structures to recreate the distinct industrial landscape of Chicago’s North Side. After visiting the real Kingsbury area and taking photographs, he realised that off-the-shelf kits wouldn’t be enough to accurately replicate the scene.
Key buildings on the layout include:
- Kirchheimer Brothers – Fully scratch-built using techniques from John Nehrich’s “Built like a Brick Freight House” article (Model Railroader, October 1996).
- Ontario Warehousing – A mix of Design Preservation Models (DPM) wall sections for the front, with a scratch-built curved back end.
- Philip Blum Co. – Custom-built to match the actual prototype.
- Pennick and Ford – Kitbashed from two Walthers Brach Candy Factory kits to achieve the height and presence required.
- E.B. Millar and Charles Emmerlich – Both are built using multiple Model Power Baldwin Locomotive Works kits, which were combined to create the taller, bulkier brick structures typical of Chicago’s older industrial districts.
Denton also created storefronts at the corner of Erie and Cambridge Streets, one of which represents a Walgreens — a subtle nod to his employer at the time.
To weather the buildings, Denton used a simple but effective “slop weathering” technique. After painting the brick base colour, he applied a wash of Polly S Grimy Black, wiping it off with a paper towel. The result left residue in cracks and crevices, giving the buildings a weathered, worn appearance.
Streets and Alleys
Chicago’s real Kingsbury area is known for its blend of brick, concrete, blacktop, and dirt roadways — often intertwined with street trackage. On the layout, streets are represented using sheet styrene painted to resemble concrete and asphalt. For brick alleys and smaller side streets, Denton used Holgate & Reynolds brick sheets glued to styrene.
Where track and streets intersect, he lined the sides of the rails with wood ties and filled in the remaining space with plaster or additional ties, producing a realistic street-running effect. Sidewalks and curbs were made from Fine N Scale Products’ “Easy Streets” components, which can be cut, sanded, and adjusted as needed.
Details and Urban Atmosphere
Urban details give life to any city layout, and Denton spared no effort in this area. From rooftop water tanks to storefront signage, every element on the layout contributes to the sense of place. For finer details, he leaned on Gold Metal Models, which produces N-scale fire escapes, TV antennas, burglar bars, and chain-link fencing — all essential elements for a gritty Chicago backdrop.
Streets were populated with vehicles, pedestrians, and general street clutter. Telephone booths, trash bins, and shopping carts fill the alleys, while figures from Preiser and other manufacturers create a sense of life and activity. The variety of details reinforces the urban character of the layout, and visitors to the layout often recognize specific locations from real life.
Legacy
The Kingsbury Branch layout reflects Bill Denton’s years of dedication, patience, and skill. Drawing inspiration from a 1975 magazine article, he transformed a fleeting idea into a fully realised N-scale layout. His careful attention to trackwork, selective compression, and scene detailing captures the essence of Chicago’s inner-city railroading.
The Kingsbury Branch is a masterclass in urban N-scale modelling, proving that even the most complex prototypes can be condensed into manageable layouts. Through clever design choices and thoughtful use of materials, Denton has created a layout that offers both operational interest and visual impact.
More Information
- Denton, Bill. “The N Scale Kingsbury Branch.” Model Railroader, Jan. 1997, pp. 140–145.
- May 1998?
Bill Denton (ModUTrak) The Kingsbury Branch – MRH Forum: skytop35
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